About Callum
Callum is a Partner and head of the Media Disputes team.
He has in depth experience of the media and entertainment industries and is therefore adept at responding to and dealing with the wide range of disputes within this sector. Callum has worked in media since the start of his career and has acted for high profile figures from, in particular, the music industry. A major part of his practice has focused on protecting the reputations and private lives of those in the public eye and media glare from intrusion and harassment.
Callum has obtained landmark damages for his clients (winning over £1 million in phone hacking damages) and a number of widely reported public apologies and judgments. He is equally proud of his achievements in the prevention of publication or dissemination of true or false information (through injunctive relief where necessary) achieved through an assertive and carefully considered approach. Acting with discretion and building long-lasting relationships are key objectives and his work has been commended in the legal directories on a number of occasions.
His media practice includes advising and taking action in respect of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, the Data Protection Act 1998, copyright infringement, passing off and breach of confidence claims. He is an expert in dealing with disputes arising out of publications on social media.
As an entertainment litigator, Callum has successfully pursued numerous copyright claims (including royalty audits and songwriting disputes) and contractual claims (such as management, publishing and recording contract disputes) for various household names.
Callum is acting for Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex and Sadie Frost in their unlawful information gathering/ phone hacking claims against Associated Newspapers Limited, publisher of the Daily Mail and the Mail on Sunday.
Callum is recognised by Chambers and Partners as a Ranked Lawyer for defamation/reputation management.
Callum is recognised by Legal 500 as a Recommended Lawyer for reputation management and for music.
Callum is recommended by Spears 500 Reputation Management index.
Work Highlights
- Fernandez-Versini v National Magazine Company Limited (2014) – privacy and data protection claim.
- Fernandez-Versini v Hearst (2014) – privacy and data protection claim.
- Campbell v Campbell (2016) regarding the rights to the UB40 band name.
- Gillan & Ors v HEC Enterprises Limited & Ors (2016) regarding the recording and publishing rights to the Deep Purple back catalogue.
- Kirsty Gallagher v News Group Newspapers Limited (2016/7) – privacy, libel and data protection claim.
Patsy Kensit v MGN Limited (2017) – phone hacking claim. - Ian Wright v News Group Newspapers Limited (2018) – phone hacking claim.